Mourinho Keen On Recruiting Porto Defender

The Blues are reportedly on the verge of re-appointing the ‘Special One’ as their manager on a four-year contract after he confirmed his departure from Real Madrid at the end of the current campaign. Even though the London side are widely tipped to purchase a new striker, Mourinho is planning to reinforce the defensive department upon his arrival at the Bridge.

Former Chelsea manager, Rafael Benitez, regularly rotated his centre-backs during a gruelling season which ended in triumph in the form of the Europa League, but his first choice pairing was Gary Cahill and Branislav Ivanovic.

It will be intriguing to see how Mourinho lines up his defence, since one of his key players in his hugely successful first stint, club captain John Terry, warmed the bench under Benitez. There is also the David Luiz factor, who really flourished in the midfield role during Benitez’s regime.

None of the four centre-backs are guaranteed a starting spot in the side, especially since Metro is reporting that Mourinho plans to bring in another centre-back to really shore up the defence. The 50-year-old bought Carvalho from Porto in his first season, and plans to raid the Portugal club this time for Mangala.

The 22-year-old joined Porto from Standard Liege in August 2011 and has helped the club win back-to-back league titles. He was their third-choice defender in his first season as he got accustomed to the football played in Portugal, but he has really come of age this term.

His impressive performances have seen him being linked with the big European heavyweights, such as PSG, Manchester United, Manchester City and Champions League winners Bayern Munich. But Chelsea are the only club to have shown legitimate interest in the defender.

There have been numerous top players itching to play under Mourinho, but the report suggests that Mangala has not been swayed by his aura. He is set to snub any interest from Chelsea to continue his development at Porto.

He said, “The interest of Mourinho and Chelsea? It’s flattering, Mourinho is a great coach, but it’s a rumour. To be honest, moving this season is not ideal for me. I intended to stay in Porto but you never know in football especially with big clubs involved PSG are now spending big. Here I play every week and I’m always involved in the title fight and also the Champions League.”